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Road Trip: Brodard's Chao Tom!

March 03, 2005 from Delicious! Delicious! www.deliciousdelicious.com

EXT. LOS ANGELES FREEWAY--DAY

A bright red, completely restored 1975 Volkswagen Super Beetle motors down the road with four occupants smushed inside. MATT, smartly dressed with unassuming good looks, sits with Caryn in the back. Vic drives with Winnie by his side.

CARYN

How much farther? I'm starrrrrrving.

WINNIE

Almost there. Ten minutes.

Caryn groans and shifts in her seat, accidentally kicking Matt's shin.

MATT

Maybe we should've taken my car.

VIC

This baby will take your little Audi any day!

INT. CROWDED VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT--ORANGE COUNTY, CA--DAY

Matt, Winnie, Vic and Caryn are now crammed around a small table loaded with Vietnamese fare.

WINNIE

Did we order too much?

CARYN

Maybe we should order more.

VIC

Pass the fish sauce.

The table is quiet for a moment as the four friends are busy wrapping cha gio, the Vietnamese version of spring rolls, in the traditional greenery, dipping in fish sauce and stuffing into their mouths.

MATT

So, he's out of town? Does that mean you don't have to go to work?

CARYN

No, I still gotta go. I'm restocking the kitchen and planning menus.

VIC

Anyone want the last one?

Everyone shakes their heads as Vic grabs the spring roll. The others pile their plates with banh cuon, smooth rice batter crepes stuffed with meat and vegetables.

CARYN

My favorite! Can you imagine his face if I served banh cuon to him?

Winnie swallows a laugh with the bite in her mouth.

WINNIE

When does he get back?

CARYN

Don't know. I didn't even know he was leaving.

Winnie enviously watches Vic grab the last of the chao tom, ground, spiced shrimp that is grilled on sugar cane and then wrapped with greens in rice paper. He dips it in the warm, spicy-sweet peanut sauce.

WINNIE

Aren't you going to have any banh cuon?

VIC

It doesn't look as good as when you and Caryn make it.

Caryn grins. Matt pushes his plate away and leans back to let his food digest, stretching his long legs under the table.

MATT

Good choice. I like this place.

WINNIE

I like it too.

CARYN

Pass the fish sauce.